nce you
obtain your bearings," she added, with a wan smile.

"How pale you are, Madge!" he said, anxiously.

"I am not feeling very well to-day, and then I am suffering from the
reaction of this morning. I never can get over my old timidity and
dislike to do anything in public. I can do what I will, but it
often costs me dear. I was led on unexpectedly this morning. I only
anticipated singing a ditty for the children when I first went to the
piano at their request."

"I saw that, Madge. Any other woman with your power of song would have
made it known long before this."

"And, believe me, Graydon, I did not want to sing in rivalry with Miss
Wildmere. I'm sorry I did."

"I saw that too," he replied, laughing. "Stella drew that little
experience down upon herself."

"I'm sorry now that I sang," she said, in a low tone. "I didn't want
to do anything to hurt the feelings of so good a friend as you are."

"You didn't hurt my feelings in the least. Just the contrary. You
gave much pleasure, and made me all the more proud of you. It will do
Stella no harm to have her self-complacency jostled a little. Slight
wonder that her head is somewhat giddy from the immense amount of
attention she has received. I'm not perfect, Madge; why should I
demand perfection? It's delightful to be talking in this way--like
old times. I used to talk to you about Stella years ago. If I have the
substance I can forego the shadow, and I do feel that I can say to you
all that I could to a sensible and loving sister. Believe me, Madge,
I can never get over my old feeling for you, and I'm just as proud
of you as if your name was Madge Muir. I think your brave effort and
achievement at Santa Barbara simply magnificent. You have long had
the affection that I would give to a sister, and now that I understand
you, I feel for you all the respect that I could give to any woman."

"Those are kind, generous words, Graydon. I knew that you
misunderstood me, and I was only provoked at you, not angry."

"You had good reason to be provoked and much more. If you and Stella
understood each other in the same way, and--well--if she were only
out of that atmosphere in which she has been brought up, I could ask
nothing more."

"What atmosphere?"

"Wall Street atmosphere transferred to the domestic and social circle.
You have too much delicacy, Madge, to refer to what I know puzzles
you, and I admit that I do not fully understand it all, though I
know Stella'